Academy: Opening weekend of Northwest Division play

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes hosted Seattle Sounders FC and Crossfire Premier over the weekend at Nutrilite Training Facility. The U16s won both of their matches, defeating Seattle 2-1 and Crossfire Premier 3-2 while the U18s lost to Seattle 2-0 and tied Crossfire Premier 2-2.

The U16s match on Saturday against the Seattle Sounders FC was a tough, physical game. In the end, San Jose came out victorious over last year’s Northwest Division champions. Seattle got on the scoreboard first with a goal from Duncan McCormick in the 27th minute, but San Jose struck back seven minutes later with a goal from Roberto Mendoza (San Jose, Calif.) in the 34th minute. A second half goal from Andy Perez (San Jose, Calif.) in the 63rd minute capped the scoring as San Jose defeated Seattle 2-1.

On Sunday, Elisama Padilla (Pittsburg, Calif.) found the back of the net twice against Crossfire Premier to lead the U16s to a 3-2 victory. Amir Bashti (San Jose, Calif.) made his first start and scored his first goal in the second minute of the game to open the scoring. Later in the first half, Padilla scored his first goal of the match with a 25th-minute strike. Padilla wasn’t done and netted the game winner in the 72nd minute off a beautiful pass in by Sam Junqua.

The U18s held court against a tough Seattle squad until the final four minutes of play. Sounders FC ultimately struck twice to win 2-0. On Sunday, San Jose erased a two-goal deficit to draw even with Crossfire Premier 2-2.

Both academy teams will take next weekend off before resuming play on Nov. 19 when they host Cal Odyssey at the Mustang Soccer Complex (Cytomax Field). The U16s kick off at 2:30 p.m. PT and the U18s kick off at 12:00 p.m. PT.